Manchester United are close to reaching an agreement with David De Gea over a new long-term deal.

Despite a story from Calciomercato claiming that United were investigating replacing De Gea with Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, the Spaniard is close to committing his future to the club.

Is there a contract update on David De Gea?

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that Man United are "really close" to reaching an agreement with De Gea over a new deal.

He told GIVEMESPORT: "At the moment for De Gea, the agreement is really close.

"As we know, Man Utd are looking to extend De Gea and sign a new backup goalkeeper.

"So, this is the idea. For De Gea, it's about the final details."

De Gea is out of contract at the end of the season but with a new agreement on the way, he looks set to stay at Old Trafford. It's unclear if he will receive a raise on his current £375,000 per week terms.

How did De Gea play for United this season?

The 32-year-old won the Premier League Golden Glove for keeping the most clean sheets. Alisson Becker, who finished second, kept three fewer than his Manchester United rival's 17 clean sheets.

Speaking recently, Harry Maguire had plenty of praise for his defensive teammate. The Englishman said: "He's been amazing this season. I think of the things I can say about him.

"He's made big saves in big moments and that's what David does. When we need him and he's called upon, he makes big saves. He's had an amazing season and It's one I'm sure he'll be really proud of."

Despite the praise, there have still been question marks surrounding De Gea's long-term future in the Premier League.

After a calamitous mistake against West Ham which gifted Said Benrahma a goal, it emerged that no Premier League goalkeeper has made more errors (4) leading to a goal than the Spaniard.

Even so, De Gea was brilliant for United this season. Without his 17 clean sheets, it's difficult to envisage a situation where Erik ten Hag and his players would have finished in the top four this season.

Retaining De Gea's services is a smart move especially with more pressing concerns to be addressed in the squad this summer transfer window.

The Red Devils can now preserve their funds and with a move to sign Neymar being mooted, they'll certainly need every penny they can save.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has decided he does not want to keep Juventus loanee Denis Zakaria, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Which Chelsea players are leaving?

Pochettino is planning a huge overhaul of his squad this summer, with The Daily Mail reporting up to 15 out-of-favour players are set to head for the exit, including Joao Felix, who is poised to return to Atletico Madrid after his loan spell.

With six players set to return from loans elsewhere, Pochettino's squad is set to become even more bloated this summer, and the new manager will have to create some space in the squad by allowing a number of players to leave.

The aforementioned report names Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic, Edoaurd Mendy and Callum Hudson-Odoi as the main players expected to move on, while the situation surrounding a number of other first-team players remains unclear.

Taking to Twitter, Romano has now clarified that Zakaria will move on in the summer, with Pochettino coming to the conclusion that he is surplus to requirements. The transfer guru said:

"Mauricio Pochettino has decided also on Denis Zakaria: Swiss midfielder’s set to leave Chelsea in June, he’s not part of the plans."

"Chelsea will not trigger the buy option clause, Zakaria will return at Juventus and then will assess his options."

Should Chelsea let Denis Zakaria leave?

Chelsea bolstered their midfield options during the January transfer window, bringing in Enzo Fernandez for a British-record £106.8m fee, and they have since been linked with a number of other players, including Romeo Lavia and Manuel Ugarte.

As such, the Blues have no real need to keep hold of Zakaria, particularly considering he failed to hold down a consistent place in the starting XI, often being utilised as a substitute or benched.

The Switzerland international did manage to impress at times, being lauded as "fantastic" by members of the media for his performance against Manchester City back in January, but too often he failed to make an impact on the game.

In his most recent outing, the 26-year-old was ranked as the worst-performing player on the pitch by SofaScore, failing to win any of the four duels that he contested, and that display meant he did not make another appearance during the remainder of the campaign.

It appears to be the right call from Pochettino to let Zakaria leave, and the manager's focus should now be on bringing in a top-quality replacement.

Sean Ervine and Ryan McLaren scored hundreds on the third day at The Oval to help Hampshire to a commanding 582 for 9 before finally the declaration came

Will Macpherson at The Oval08-Sep-2016
ScorecardSean Ervine punches the air after reaching his century•PA PhotosIt does not take a particularly long memory to recall July 18. But Hampshire certainly can. On July 18, Surrey batted Hampshire into submission. Six-hundred-and-thirty-seven first-innings runs worth of submission. Ben Foakes, who scored a ton, admitted that Surrey’s captain Gareth Batty, who also scored a ton, carried on batting for a couple of overs after tea on day two “just to piss them off”.Here was Hampshire’s retribution. They had built a fine base on the second day, but lost Tom Alsop and Liam Dawson, both to Mark Footitt, within the third morning’s first 30 minutes. First-innings parity did not look beyond Surrey.At the other end stood Sean Ervine, who just batted. He batted his way to his third century in three matches. He batted through Hampshire’s highest sixth-wicket partnership against Surrey – 186 with Ryan McLaren, who also scored a century, his first in the Championship (this was the first time three Hampshire batsmen had reached three figures in an innings in 24 years). Then there was 65 with Lewis McManus, the impish keeper-batsman who held up Surrey at the Ageas, and 48 then 44 with the tattooed Gareths, the belligerent Berg and brutal Andrew.The declaration had felt like it might never come. Berg smote Batty for 22 in four balls to take Hampshire past 500, which felt like a convenient juncture. But no. Leading by 200; not enough. Then Berg went, caught by Batty at mid-on, to become Footitt’s sixth wicket, and the Surrey players set off with him, seemingly expecting James Vince to wave his arm. Not yet. Ervine brought up 1000 runs in a first-class season for the first time, then his 150, Hampshire’s 550, and also their highest score at The Oval, 559. When Andrew’s romp ended, Ervine appeared to start wandering in, only to see Brad Wheal bound out. Wheal had bounced out Stuart Meaker on the second morning, and he won again: a pulled six and a top-edged four finally bringing the mercy blow, 253 ahead.Ervine said that Hampshire actually declared an over earlier than planned, giving them nine overs of bowling, which Surrey survived unscathed, before stumps. But how Hampshire had enjoyed their jaunt; nine of the 11 players here were the victims at the Ageas, a game they came within minutes of saving after batting two days in sweltering heat. “It was nice,” said Ervine of getting some payback. “It was a pity we couldn’t get to the third new ball, that would have been fun.”Ervine’s was a magnificently measured innings. He had 37 when joined by McLaren, with the second new ball three overs away. McLaren’s dashing array of cuts, pulls and drives meant he soon caught Ervine (when they both had 59) and, as Hampshire’s lead grew to 100, they were going tit for tat, their scores never more than eight runs apart all the way through to their centuries in quick succession. Both were cautious when necessary – Tom Curran bowled particularly well, even if Footitt claimed the rewards – but cashed in as Surrey’s attack flagged. McLaren, one of the shrewdest overseas signings about – he balances Hampshire’s side just as Tim Bresnan does Yorkshire’s – found mid-off a ball after a beautiful straight drive took him to a raucously celebrated ton.After a stylish, steadying showing from McManus, the baton was picked up by Berg and Andrew and their focus on flaying was singular – “that was great to watch from the other end,” Ervine laughed. Ervine, hellbent on being there to the finish, credited his best year with the bat for Hampshire to a beery chat with his compatriot Murray Goodwin during pre-season. He is playing the ball later and, while there are moments of brutality, such as when Batty was thumped into the OCS Stand, he is leaving more too. He is 33, and it feels like he has been around longer, but there is life in the old dog yet. “It’s a huge thing for me,” he said of reaching 1000 runs. “I’ve come close a few times, so I’m over the moon, especially having missed a few games through injuries.”A draw would confirm Surrey’s own survival, and Rory Burns and Dom Sibley batted well to reach stumps, but Hampshire were encouraged by the bite and turn found by the single over from Liam Dawson, England spinner elect. Remarkably, victory would take Hampshire to fifth with just a home game against fellow strugglers Durham to come. Never has the gap between the divisions been wider, seldom has more been at stake.A second Great Escape, according to Ervine, after the illness of Michael Carberry, the injuries of all and sundry, and the departure of Dale Benkenstein, would “top any season I’ve ever been involved with Hampshire. Given all that’s gone on, staying up would feel like winning the Championship.”Ten Surrey wickets, it seems, would mean far more than just revenge.

Manchester United will likely continue their efforts to rebuild and improve the squad this summer and now a new update has emerged on a long-standing transfer target.

What's the latest on Man United's interest in Adrien Rabiot?

According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Man United have revived their interest in Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.

As per the report, Rabiot's outstanding form this season hasn't gone unnoticed with the Red Devils set to compete with Newcastle United for his signature this summer.

The Frenchman will be out of contract and available for free in a few weeks' time.

Who would Rabiot replace at Man United?

Whilst the highest priority at Old Trafford this summer will be to sign a prolific centre-forward, adding quality into key areas all over the pitch will be essential to continue the progress already made by Erik ten Hag in his first season.

The Manchester giants have made positive steps forward this season with a League Cup and Champions League qualification secured, so the signing of high-quality players will be important in their pursuit of challenging at the top again domestically and also putting in a strong European campaign too.

As a result, the signing of Rabiot could be exactly what Ten Hag needs to inject some great talent and a fresh perspective in midfield next season with the France international potentially standing as a much-needed Paul Pogba replacement.

Rabiot has stepped up into Pogba's role for both the France national team and Juventus over the last 12 months to become the beating heart in midfield during the Qatar World Cup and throughout the season in the Serie A, whilst the former Man United man has been out injured.

Over 31 league appearances, the 6 foot 2 titan has been an effective presence at both ends of the pitch having scored eight goals, registered four assists and successfully completed 60% of his dribbles.

Furthermore, the Juve star has averaged one key pass, 1.5 shots on goal, two tackles and 1.2 clearances per game, proving that he has the all-round game to replace Pogba at Old Trafford.

Despite a controversial past, the Frenchman has seemingly been reborn in Italy and has demonstrated his strong midfield attributes that has led to high praise from many including his manager Andrea Pirlo, who said:

"He is a complete player, I have rarely seen someone so strong both physically and technically.

"He doesn't even know the potential for improvement he can have, and we work on the mental side of things to make him understand that he is a champion. He is improving game after game."

With that being said, if Man United can snap up the services of Rabiot for free this summer it would be a great opportunity for Ten Hag to add some much-need quality in midfield with that Pogba-shaped void finally being filled.

David Payne took four wickets and scored a fourth first-class half-century but Gloucestershire ended day two behind the game at Northamptonshire.

ECB Reporters Network13-Sep-2016
ScorecardDavid Payne enjoyed an impressive all-round day•Getty Images

David Payne took four wickets and scored a fourth first-class half-century but Gloucestershire ended day two behind the game at Northamptonshire. The hosts closed their second innings 44 without loss, leading by 109.Payne removed four wickets in 11 balls in the morning session to whittle Northamptonshire out for 326 before his half-century helped boost Gloucestershire to 261, reducing the first-innings deficit to 65.But it was Northamptonshire who ended the second day on top as Ben Duckett gave their second innings a bright start following Rob Keogh’s 4 for 67.Keogh helped reduce Gloucestershire to 158 for 7 before Payne followed up his career-best 67 not out at Cardiff last week with another half-century to provide the visitors with a second batting point.He survived a diving chance offered to Rory Kleinveldt at third slip on 10 but thereafter played with composure. A loose drive sped away to the third man rope for his ninth four and a single took him to fifty in 57 balls.Together with Jack Taylor, they began a smart recovery shortly before tea. Keogh had Will Tavare caught at short midwicket after a dogged innings trying to regain form, before Phil Mustard tried to drive outside off stump and got a thin edge to David Murphy.Before Keogh’s wickets, Azharullah made the breakthrough after lunch with a delivery that nipped away from Hamish Marshall to clip the outside of the off stump and Steven Crook fired a full straight delivery into Craig Miles’ stumps to leave the visitors in trouble.They had hoped to be in a better position after Payne ran through through Northants’ lower order in 11 balls, taking the four remaining wickets without conceding a run. Crook fell second ball of the day trying to late cut and getting a thin edge to Mustard, four balls later Kleinveldt drove loosely to extra-cover.Murphy scored Northants only runs of the day with an edge to third man before Payne returned to have Azharullah smartly held at third slip by Marshall. Ben Sanderson lost his off stump next ball as Payne, wicketless on the first day, finish with 4 for 57.In reply, Gloucestershire lost Chris Dent to a thin edge behind and Gareth Roderick to a better catch from Murphy for Kleinveldt’s second wicket. When George Hankins slapped a pull to square leg and was very well held by a diving Adam Rossington, the game was back on an even keel but the hosts had taken control by stumps.

Delhi coach KP Bhaskar has hit out strongly at the lack of a proper system in Delhi cricket – especially off the field – which is costing the team in the Ranji Trophy

Shashank Kishore in Kolkata22-Oct-2016KP Bhaskar, Delhi’s head coach, has said a systematic overhaul of Delhi cricket is needed if they are to stay competitive in the Ranji Trophy. His comments followed Delhi’s meek surrender to Karnataka inside eight sessions in Kolkata. Bhaskar, who himself had played 95-first class matches over 14 years and was a prolific run-scorer for a strong Delhi side in the ’80s, termed the current system “ineffective”.The chaos surrounding their build-up to the domestic season every year, he said, was one of the reasons why Delhi struggled. The chaos isn’t entirely of the team’s making; administrative hassles, Bhaskar said, couldn’t entirely be looked at in isolation as it impacted both age-group and senior sides competing under the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) banner.This year, the coach’s appointment was made with less than a month to go for the season, and the team didn’t get together until two days before their Ranji Trophy opener against Assam in Vadodara. A two-day practice game that was scheduled for September 26 and 27 against Uttar Pradesh was called off because the DDCA couldn’t find a ground to host the match. This even as curators and ground staff threatened a strike for unpaid wages and bonuses.”I got the team two days before the season started,” Bhaskar said, when asked about Delhi’s preparation when compared to some of the other sides which had pre-season conditioning camps and tournaments. “There was not much of mental preparation. Whatever was happening was whatever they were doing on their own, so I really don’t know. That is something which we need to work on. The system has to fall into place; we have to have more opportunities of playing exposure, and try to build a team before getting into the Ranji Trophy.”Last year, too, the team had to wait till the eve of their Ranji Trophy opener to know who the coach was. Ajay Jadeja, initially appointed head coach, didn’t travel with the team because he felt “his opinions and inputs don’t matter”. He was replaced by Vijay Dahiya. Then there was also the issue of factions within the DDCA naming three different probables lists for the Ranji Trophy. Their pre-season camp was further mired in controversy, with nobody to oversee the initial nets sessions at the Feroz Shah Kotla and no certainty over who was running the team.Expecting the players to perform without a proper system in place, Bhaskar said, was tough. Among the things that needed to change, he said, was the system of merely playing in 40-over games in the build up to the Ranji Trophy. “Look at our batting,” he said. “We don’t have three-day formats; we don’t really play in pre-season tournaments like Buchi Babu or KSCA invitational. So currently we are only finding ways to work around it.”Another aspect Bhaskar wanted looked into was the talent pool; he said it wasn’t being streamlined properly because of selection issues. “Last season, we had 45 different players playing for Delhi Under-23s. So think of it, how long it is going to take for the talented players from there to reach the Ranji Trophy?”Tomorrow, if things don’t improve, we may have 50 players playing across eight games in the Ranji Trophy. Things need to be put in place, but at least we’ve made a start now. Things are looking good. Justice Mudgal has taken the initiative [of cleaning up the DDCA mess]. Let’s hope things improve.”

With the Premier League season now at a close, Manchester United will now be turning their attention toward Saturday's FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City, with Erik ten Hag and his men having the chance to cap what has already been a fine debut season in charge for the Dutchman.

With Champions League qualification having been clinched – as well as Carabao Cup glory – the aim for the Red Devils will be to end their season on an even greater high by stopping their treble-chasing rivals in their tracks.

Ahead of this weekend's mouthwatering showpiece meeting, one United man who looks unlikely to play a central role in proceedings is club captain, Harry Maguire, with the Englishman having largely been on the periphery this term after making just eight top-flight starts – the last of which came against Fulham on Sunday.

That outing against the Cottagers could well prove to be the 30-year-old's 'final start' for the club – as per GOAL's Richard Martin – with speculation mounting that the £80m addition could be among those to be shown the door by Ten Hag this summer.

While the season-ending injury to Lisandro Martinez had looked to have offered the former Leicester City man the chance of a more prominent role in recent weeks, the £190k-per-week dud has been usurped in the defensive pecking order by Victor Lindelof, with the impressive Swede likely to line up alongside Raphael Varane once again this weekend.

With even Luke Shaw – who started in a centre-back berth in the Manchester derby back in January – having been given the nod over Maguire at times this season, it is difficult to see where the 6 foot 4 brute goes from here…

Will Maguire play for Man United again?

The fact that the one-time Hull City man is set to be restricted to a potential late cameo appearance – if that – against Pep Guardiola's men is a stark indication of his decline, with the 55-cap asset having fallen by the wayside since making an early strong impression upon his arrival back in 2019.

The towering defender initially shone on debut in the 4-0 thrashing against Chelsea at the start of the 2019/20 campaign, with The Guardian's Andy Hunter writing at the time:

'A serene start to life as the world’s most expensive defender. Won every header, distributed cleanly and instigated the crucial second goal.'

Fast forward just under four years and Maguire now looks like a shadow of that once-dominant gem, having been described as a "walking disaster" by Manchester Evening News journalist Samuel Luckhurst amid a turbulent campaign for United last season.

As for the 2022/23 campaign, the ailing talent has been resigned to a role as third or fourth-choice centre-back at times, while failing to make his mark when he has featured, notably looking "lost" after starting in the FA Cup clash with Cottagers back in March, according to former MEN writer Hesham Bilal-Hefiz.

The experienced dud was also notably culpable in the dismal Europa League defeat away to Sevilla last month after gifting possession to the La Liga outfit in the build-up to the game's opening goal, having earlier scored an unfortunate own goal in the first-leg stalemate in Manchester.

Those woes have ensured that a departure now looks a mere certainty for Maguire, with Ten Hag himself having only recently stated that the skipper has a "decision" to make over his future, amid the "high competition" for places.

As such, it could well be that the weekend win over Marco Silva's side proves to be the last time the England regular is seen in a United jersey – aside from potentially holding the FA Cup trophy aloft on Saturday…

USA coach Pubudu Dassanayake has said that captain Steven Taylor will move back to opening the innings in the ICC World Cricket League Division Four beginning on October 29 in Los Angeles.Taylor has had a number of trials in the middle order recently, with varied results.The plan to shift him down the order came after Dassanayake witnessed the left-hander’s unbeaten 81 off 53 balls while batting at No. 6 in Florida XI’s one-wicket win over a touring Marylebone Cricket Club XI last month. He then got scores of 5, 1, and 1 in three games at No. 4, before moving back to the opening slot where he scored 27 in USA’s two-wicket win over Canada in the Auty Cup.Dassanayake said that after experimenting with Taylor in the middle, he felt both Taylor and the team had the best chance for success in Division Four with him batting as an opener.”We tried a few things and now we’ve settled down back into the opening [slot],” Dassanayake told ESPNcricinfo. “This is our batting order. What we had [in the win], we’re going to stick to it throughout the tournament.”We were discussing it and he’s comfortable coming down [the order] to bat when the team needs it during the tough periods. But after looking at these conditions, and these wickets where the ball comes onto the bat pretty well, we had a small discussion about it. With his calibre, I think he is better at the top of the order.”The news bodes well for Ravi Timbawala, who was drafted into the USA squad for Division Four on Thursday as a replacement for Srini Santhanam, who was ruled out due to an injury to the right shoulder. Timbawala scored an unbeaten 73, batting at No. 3 in the two-wicket win over Canada, and appears set to keep that role when USA take the field for their first match against Bermuda on October 29.Timbawala’s presence in the middle order also provides more stability for USA as cover for Taylor’s inconsistency. Ever since making a career-best 162 off 102 balls against Nepal – who Dassanayake was coaching at the time – in 2013, Taylor has scored 277 runs in 14 innings at 19.79 in 50-over cricket for USA.In that stretch he has two fifties, but also three ducks to go along with the pair of ones against Canada last week. Dassanayake says that it is important for Taylor to stay aggressive in spite of the low scores, because his approach can devastate opponents the way it did to Dassanayake’s Nepal side in 2013.”His type of batting is not going to be consistent,” Dassanayake said. “I’m happy if he can get [big runs in] three games for us. If he scores in three games and we’re going to win those games, that’s what I’m looking for. He’s hungry. As a leader, first time captaining USA [in an ICC tournament], he wants to win this tournament. He wants to contribute.”A part of those contributions are now coming with the ball. In 21 career 50-over matches for USA, prior to last weekend’s Auty Cup, Taylor had bowled a total of 7.2 overs, taking one wicket. But in his first match after being named captain, he brought himself on and took 5 for 47 with his part-time offspin. That spurred him to bowl out his maximum quota of overs in all three games against Canada, the only USA bowler to do so in the series.It may be a sign of things to come in Division Four as he takes on an increased role with the ball, now that he has given up wicketkeeping. However, Dassanayake says Taylor’s batting is still what will win USA matches at the end of the day and he is backing Taylor to come through.”I can see his feelings. When he gets out, he’s disappointed, but I know that with his calibre and the way that he’s moving, he will get there. I think he understands pretty well how to adjust to conditions. I have confidence that he’ll get us through in the five games coming up.”

In the week Jude Bellingham's £115m transfer from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid moved a giant step closer, another member of the talented footballing family could also be on the move.

Sunderland have been linked with Jude's younger brother Jobe for a number of weeks now, and Birmingham World reports that the Black Cats will not give up on negotiations until an agreement can be reached with Birmingham City.

Who is Sunderland target Jobe Bellingham?

Like brother Jude, Jobe emerged through Birmingham's youth ranks and into the first team at a young age. However, whereas the older of the siblings made a £25m switch to Dortmund at 17, Jobe is only just establishing himself in City's first team.

The Stourbridge-born midfielder made his senior debut for City in January 2021 and, after remaining patient for his chance, he appeared 22 times in last season's Championship campaign as the Blues finished 17th.

But while Jude broke the record for being Birmingham's youngest player and goalscorer, Jobe is on a different path, albeit one that could also culminate in him joining an elite club further down the line.

As then-City boss Lee Bowyer put it previously, "Whenever he steps on the pitch now everyone is going to expect him to be like his brother.

"Don't do that to the lad. It's not fair on him. He's going to be his own player, himself. We believe he will be good."

Is Jobe Bellingham ready for Sunderland move?

Far from having a nine-figure valuation like his brother, Jobe could be available for as little as £3m, as previously cited by football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Given his relative lack of matches at senior level, there is still an unknown nature about the youngster's game, though those who have seen him up close can already see comparisons with Madrid-bound Jude.

"His ability to keep the ball is very Jude-esque," said a member of the Blues Focus team in an interview with Roker Report. "His size for such a young lad is also very reminiscent of when Jude was starting at Blues."

That aerial ability has been put to good use, with Bellingham winning 2.06 aerial duels per 90 minutes last season – only two other regular Birmingham midfielders registered a higher tally.

Indeed, that figure places Bellingham in the top 6% among his positional peers over the past year, while he is in the top 1% for clearances (1.47 per game), showing he clearly has a talent for the defensive side of the game.

Adding goals and assists to his game will take Bellingham to the next level, having failed to register a single goal involvement in his 22 – mainly substitute – appearances in the Championship last season. That should not deter the Black Cats from moving, though, who will no doubt benefit from his arrival.

Indeed, in an exciting Sunderland team boasting talents such as Jack Clarke and Ross Stewart in attack, Bellingham can take his own – albeit lower profile – step towards future stardom by putting pen to paper at the Stadium of Light.

Arsenal have been linked to a number of players ahead of the transfer window, with a potential option at right-back emerging as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his squad this summer.

The Gunners will be keen to make improvements in the window, after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City this season.

Adding depth in quality to the squad is key for the Spaniard over the summer, something that he could begin by signing the latest player in question.

What’s the latest on Sacha Boey to Arsenal?

As reported by the Telegraph late last month, Galatasaray right-back Sacha Boey has gained interest from north London after a strong season in Turkey.

Since the initial news broke regarding Arsenal’s interest, GIVEMESPORT have revealed via Fabrizio Romano that the club are ‘informed’ on the conditions surrounding the €25m (£22m) price tag placed on the defender by the Turkish champions.

Despite multiple news sources linking the player and club, Romano noted that the situation remains ‘quiet’, with no direct contact made between the Gunners and the players’ agent yet.

What could Sacha Boey bring to Arsenal?

Hailed as “tireless” by journalist Cetin Cem Yilmaz, the 22-year-old has been a revelation for the Turkish giants since signing from Rennes in the summer of 2021.

The young defender could be a revelation for Arsenal and could not only challenge the likes of Ben White defensively but could take Bukayo Saka to the next level in forming a partnership on the right flank.

At just 21 years old, the English forward has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season, scoring 14 goals and assisting 11 in 38 appearances, via FBref.

There are many elements to the wingers’ game that see him thrive in Arteta’s set-up, however, his partnership with White has played a significant factor in his growth this campaign.

Lauded as providing “top class” runs to support Saka out wide in attack, the English duo have unlocked a new side to Arsenal, making them one of the most threatening duos in the league from the wide areas.

However, as claimed by Football Insider, Arteta could hand White a new role centrally next season, which could open doors for Boey who in theory could take Saka to a new level if he takes the reins from White.

The Frenchman is a danger from the back when getting forward, which benefits the Arsenal forward, who ranks in the top 2% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues when it comes to receiving progressive passes, with an average of 14.61 per 90 – as per FBref.

While White has been direct in Saka’s progression, Boey ranks better in creative scenarios than the Englishman, averaging one key pass per game to the former Brighton man’s 0.7, and creating eight big chances to his six – as per Sofascore.

There is still room for progression for the formidable youngster, who could reach the heights of Mohamed Salah who was integral to Liverpool’s title win in 2020, who averaged a monstrous 0.50 goals per 90, with Saka averaging 0.33 this season – as per FBref.

His improvement could be the difference in Arsenal’s ability to win the title next campaign.

Having a style of play that identifies his favour to play short passes, as per WhoScored, the Galatasaray gem could form a deadly partnership with Saka, who could become even more unplayable in his presence as a significantly strong attacking full-back.